This issue brief on access to civil legal services is derived from information in the 2011 New York City Council Human Rights Report Card (Report Card) published by the Human Rights Project at the Urban Justice Center. This issue brief draw from and expand on the full Report Card to give a detailed look on access to civil legal services and how it was addressed in City Council.

The brief highlights the fact that an increasing number of New Yorkers lack legal representation in a wide array of civil legal matters including evictions, foreclosures, child support matters, and consumer credit disputes. The brief also covers the City Council's response to address the problem.